Unrecorded Phantom Gems

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Ah...so it isn't an English release but a Japanese one. Every one I looked up on Ebay UK and US don't have the poles.

The set that I believe it was included in is the 1992 Thomas Basic set


I don't think it is shown on the set box, but the photo in my post above is from a listing for the set loose but with the token and the original paper instructions, and I'm hoping it may mention in the instructions if the token was originally included. I'll know when it arrives.
As mentioned this set was released in the new full box style in 1995 by which time it had the second tree replace the hook

I suspect the other 1992 set, the Thomas the Tank Engine set mentioned by chrisjo, also originally included one. I have a copy of that set with the original paper instructions on the way too.

I am not sure about the 1993 Henry set. I've only seen a few pictures of them other then the one I bought, all low resolution, and the one I bought doesn't have it, but a copy of the set not having the token is a lot less evidence then a copy of the set having the token in my mind. No paper instructions for this one, although originally I believe it should have come with them, as the Made in Japan era boxes are just lift off lids and don't have the layout diagram or other information on the back like the 1995+ sets


Indeed, the hook was changed to a tree by the time any Thomas sets were released overseas. The Thomas Basic set was part of the initial 1997 US release, where it was renamed the Standard Set.


For anyone wondering, the Basic set was very long lasting, available up into the CGI era of the show in some regions (the suggested layout was changed after the 1997 release, but the contents are the same)

Thank you Chris.

It is about the ring. It is known as タブレットキャッチャー. However if you translate to English, it is "Tablet Catcher". Chris, is Tablet Catcher the same meaning as token? I'm not good in English.

It is about the ring. It is known as タブレットキャッチャー. However if you translate to English, it is "Tablet Catcher". Chris, is Tablet Catcher the same meaning as token? I'm not good in English.

Exellent, that confirms it. Tokens existed in various different shapes and sizes, one of these was known as a tablet. 

From the Wikipedia entry on Token (railway signalling) : "A large staff could be handed over without any special apparatus, but if the system in use employed miniature staffs, tablets or key tokens, these were usually placed in a leather pouch attached to a hoop, and the fireman could put their arm through the hoop held up by the signalman, and vice versa as the locomotive ran past."

An auction lot containing "2 x early Tyers leather tablet pouches and 2 x LMS STOP lever collars":

Some tablets:


Now your task is to find out whether similar equipment was ever used in the early days of Japanese railways, in which British engineers were heavily involved.

I also want to know whether the Thomas locomotive in that set had any way of holding the tablet ring so that it would be caught by the hook on the station platform as it went past?

By the way your English is just fine, but if you ever want help in preparing an English-language version of the Museum website, just let me know!

Ha! Many pictures here

(Edit: posted at the exact same time as Vio's post below!)

Yes Chris, this video explains everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2ZYK2lg1cY
Because Kiha 28 was manufactured in 1961-1969, and you saw that tablet catchers were used, it is true that it was used in the early days.
And this blog too, scroll down to 1973, you can find the one like on the Inaka No Eki station.: http://kumanotaira-mura.travel.coocan.jp...su-22.html
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Seems that all Inaka no Eki with a tablet catcher have the token. This is the default holding position.

Looks like we arrived to the same conclusions. I guess this is solved.

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Very interesting and some great Links to watch...thanks fellows. Maybe now I can remember what they are called 

I just had the first of a few of the Thomas station with intact hook arrive today (no tablet unfortunately), and I noticed a little bit of tape on the station base and figured I would check if this was how the tablet was originally held down when new, and if so I don't want to remove it.

None of the Thomas sets that include this station with the pole (those being the 1992 Thomas the Tank Engine and Thomas Basic sets and the 1993 Henry set) have any specific action features that collect or drop the token, and I don't believe it will fit inside Thomases coaches (if it does, it won't easily be removed). It could fit inside the log car included in the Henry set if you really wanted, I suppose.